Page 93 - Maritime Book 1

LOOKING BACK WITH PRIDE
FORMER CHIEF HARBOUR MASTER, NEIL BRINK
In 1992, when I was Port Captain in Richards Bay the National Ports Authority’s tug masters and pilots mostly had Certi cates of Competency as Master Mariners, having served on foreign going cargo ships for about 10 years. They were mostly White South Africans, except for a sprinkling of expats.
To become a marine pilot in those days would take about 14 years.
We needed to make a start to bring previously disadvantaged South Africans into the maritime space.
After interviewing my lower grade marine staff to nd out who would like to continue their studies up to matric level maths and science, four candidates were identi ed - two for deck of cer training – Alex Miya (Harbour Master: Port of Cape Town) and Joseph Mbatha (now deceased), and two for engineer of cer training. They attended the local technical high school in Richards Bay, and from there, Alex and Joseph proceeded to Natal Technikon and on to ships
as Deck Of cer cadets, passing the required Department of Transport (SAMSA) examinations and practical oral tests.
While not directly involved in the Rotterdam initiative, nor part of the the selection process, I pushed for Alex and Joseph to be included.
As I recall Alex and Joseph plus some other trainees returned to Richards Bay for their practical pilot training after the Rotterdam experience. It was my privilege to issue Joseph his rst pilotage licence in Richards Bay, which was the highlight of my career. It was a very emotional moment for both of us and he also went on to get
his open pilotage licence in Richards Bay. As such he could pilot the biggest ships in the port - the bulk carriers - which are huge vessels.
Alex followed in Joseph’s footsteps, then quickly rose to Harbour Master in Saldanha Bay and eventually Harbour Master Cape Town.
I am extremely proud of what they achieved, always remembering that they did the hard work, not me. I merely pointed the team in the right direction. They made huge personal sacri ces, being away from their families, working for reduced pay, putting in many hours of study and hard work, and experienced the loneliness of working on their own.
It is wonderful to see what successes the Class of 99, the rst candidates in the Rotterdam initiative, have made of their careers, and what a great contribution they are making to the economy of the country.
Transnet was a White male dominated company. The new management brought a new perspective in inter-personal relations that was a privilege for me to experience. They gave of themselves when they did not need to. There was a generosity of spirit in all staff members and I count myself lucky to have experienced it.
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